GAK middle part
In 1960, the GAK building was one of the Netherlands’ largest office buildings. Located right next to the A10 motorway, architect Ben Merkelbach’s design remains characteristic of that period. The side wings have now been transformed into compact apartments. The central section, covering some 10,000 sq. m., is the final stage in the complete conversion of the GAK building.
This central section has been redesigned to feature 120 hotel rooms/short-stay apartments with a range of different floor plans, varying from 40 to 110 sq. m., reflecting the diversity of the building’s users and the demand. The uppermost floors feature more spacious dual-layered apartments. The phenomenal views both across the A10 and over the park/city centre make this a unique place to stay. At the building’s core, a mezzanine area has replaced what were the escalators, enabling natural light to penetrate deep into the building and accentuating users’ lines of sight. The basement boasts a gym with direct access to the lobby on the main floor.
The steel façade overlooking Bos en Lommerpark has been replaced by a faithful – but thermally insulated – reconstruction. One of the requirements was to install a noise-reducing façade without open windows. To achieve this, the building was given a double façade with ventilated ‘sunrooms’.
Images: Stijn Poelstra

More Transformations
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Temporary accommodation for the House of Representatives
location:Den Haagcategory:Transformations, Interior, Public buildingsm2:80.000client:RijksvastgoedbedrijfTeam:Strukton Worksphereprogram:offices, restaurants, meeting rooms, public entrance & cateringperiod:2017 - 2021 -
Vasim
location:Nijmegencategory:Transformations, Public buildingsm2:12.000Team:Lingotto, KlokGroep, ZUS [Zones Urbaines Sensibles] -
Steel Craft House
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Privatem2:120client:R. Manders en H. CaspersenTeam:staalstudio, vrienden, vof de Bouwmaatprogram:houseperiod:2011 - 2020 -
Interior Library Neude
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Interior, Public buildingsm2:9.000client:De Bibliotheek UtrechtTeam:Rijnboutt, Jurriens B.V. maar! bouwmanagement, Coors, Keijsers, Gispenprogram:library, offices, hospitality, meeting rooms, auditoriumperiod:2015 - 2020 -
GAK middle part
location:Amsterdamcategory:Transformations, Interior, Public buildingsm2:10.000client:SteenvastgoedTeam:WDJArchitecten, ABT, DPA, Huygenprogram:120 hotel rooms, loungeperiod:2015 - 2019 -
Werkspoor factory
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformationsm2:9.200client:Overvecht VastgoedTeam:Van Kessel Bouw, Respace, Kijk op Bouwen, Baas B.V, H2O Installatietechniek, Van Roekel & van Roekel, Wunderhund, Flux Landscapeprogram:creative companies, manufacturing industry, beer breweryperiod:2016 - 2019 -
Transformation CAB Cartesiusdriehoek
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Public buildingsclient:BPD / LingottoTeam:ZUS, CCO, Arupprogram:leisure, apartments, manufacturing industryperiod:2017 - 2018 -
Water tower Utrecht
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Private, Interiorm2:1.800client:Chris VisscherTeam:R&R Bouw, IMd, DGMR, Van Engelthermprogram:apartments, housing, leisureperiod:2012 - present -
Residence Church XL
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Private, Interiorm2:475client:ParticulierTeam:Rietveld interieurbouwprogram:Residential church XL -
Chapel of Living
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Private, Interiorm2:250client:ParticulierTeam:Thesis Bouw Nieuwegeinprogram:residentialperiod:2006 - 2007 -
Farmhouse
location:provincie Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Private, Interiorm2:950client:ParticulierTeam:STUDIO JEROEN VAN ZWETSELAAR, Van Rhenen, BOOMprogram:housing, office, studioperiod:2013 - 2016 -
Student housing
location:Utrechtcategory:Housing, TransformationsTeam:Versteeg Utrechtprogram:student housingperiod:2014 - 2016 -
Drents Archive 3.0
location:Assencategory:Transformations, Interior, Public buildingsm2:3.300client:Rijksvastgoedbedrijf en Drents ArchiefTeam:Brands Bouwgroep B.V.program:Public Archiveperiod:2010 - 2012 -
Water tower Den Bosch
location:Den Boschcategory:Transformationsclient:BOEiTeam:BAM Utiliteitsbouw, Schakel & Schraleprogram:Offices, Hospitality industryperiod:2011 - 2014 -
Sidewall(k)
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Public buildingsclient:Gemeente UtrechtTeam:Bouwbedrijf van den Engelprogram:attach old wallperiod:2012 - 2014 -
Research Redevelopment Telephone Building
location:Amsterdamcategory:Housing, Transformationsm2:3.300client:Aham VastgoedTeam:Van Rossumprogram:apartmentsperiod:2016 (competition) -
Rail House
location:Santpoortcategory:Transformations, Private, Interiorm2:100client:ParticulierTeam:STUDIO JEROEN VAN ZWETSELAARperiod:2009 - 2012 -
Food Hall MOUT with Beer Brewery
location:Hilversumcategory:Transformations, Public buildingsm2:1.000client:Teus Kroonprogram:Food Hall, Gooische Beer Breweryperiod:2016 - 2017 -
Polygonal Workshop
location:Tilburgcategory:Transformations, Public buildingsm2:1.500client:BOEiTeam:EVE, BAM, Hugo Interieurvormgevingprogram:restaurant, event spaceperiod:2015 - 2017 -
Watertower Dwelling
location:Soestcategory:Transformations, Private, Interiorm2:280client:ParticulierTeam:Plegt-Vos. Middelkoopprogram:residentialperiod:2002 - 2004 -
Water tower
location:Sint Janskloostercategory:Transformations, Public buildingsclient:BOEi / Vitens en Natuurmonumentenprogram:watchtowerperiod:2007 - 2014 -
Sustainable Monument
location:Driebergencategory:Transformations, Privateclient:Particulier / Stichting Duurzaam Renoveren van Historische Gebouwenprogram:residentialperiod:2009 - 2010 -
Black Pearl
location:Rotterdamcategory:Transformations, Privateclient:ParticulierTeam:Studio Rolf.frprogram:house and workshopperiod:2008 - 2012 -
Transformation Train Depot
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformationsm2:1.200client:NS-StationsTeam:Except, Aversch, Niemanprogram:offices, multifunctional buildingperiod:2015 - 2017
More Interior
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Temporary accommodation for the House of Representatives
location:Den Haagcategory:Transformations, Interior, Public buildingsm2:80.000client:RijksvastgoedbedrijfTeam:Strukton Worksphereprogram:offices, restaurants, meeting rooms, public entrance & cateringperiod:2017 - 2021 -
Manor Province Utrecht
category:Private, Interiorm2:950client:ParticulierTeam:Van Rossum, Nijeboer - Hage, Remy Meijersprogram:house, officeperiod:2016 - 2020 -
Interior Library Neude
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Interior, Public buildingsm2:9.000client:De Bibliotheek UtrechtTeam:Rijnboutt, Jurriens B.V. maar! bouwmanagement, Coors, Keijsers, Gispenprogram:library, offices, hospitality, meeting rooms, auditoriumperiod:2015 - 2020 -
GAK middle part
location:Amsterdamcategory:Transformations, Interior, Public buildingsm2:10.000client:SteenvastgoedTeam:WDJArchitecten, ABT, DPA, Huygenprogram:120 hotel rooms, loungeperiod:2015 - 2019 -
City Hall Renswoude
location:Renswoudecategory:Interior, Public buildingsm2:1060client:Gemeente Renswoudeprogram:City hall, officesperiod:2020 - current -
Water tower Utrecht
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Private, Interiorm2:1.800client:Chris VisscherTeam:R&R Bouw, IMd, DGMR, Van Engelthermprogram:apartments, housing, leisureperiod:2012 - present -
Utrecht's Archive
location:Utrechtcategory:Interior, Public buildingsclient:Utrechts ArchiefTeam:Bouman Bouw Realisatie BVprogram:Public Archiveperiod:2012 - 2013 -
Residence Church XL
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Private, Interiorm2:475client:ParticulierTeam:Rietveld interieurbouwprogram:Residential church XL -
Chapel of Living
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Private, Interiorm2:250client:ParticulierTeam:Thesis Bouw Nieuwegeinprogram:residentialperiod:2006 - 2007 -
Farmhouse
location:provincie Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Private, Interiorm2:950client:ParticulierTeam:STUDIO JEROEN VAN ZWETSELAAR, Van Rhenen, BOOMprogram:housing, office, studioperiod:2013 - 2016 -
Drents Archive 3.0
location:Assencategory:Transformations, Interior, Public buildingsm2:3.300client:Rijksvastgoedbedrijf en Drents ArchiefTeam:Brands Bouwgroep B.V.program:Public Archiveperiod:2010 - 2012 -
Rail House
location:Santpoortcategory:Transformations, Private, Interiorm2:100client:ParticulierTeam:STUDIO JEROEN VAN ZWETSELAARperiod:2009 - 2012 -
Office Building KRO-NCRV
location:Hilversumcategory:Interiorm2:6.000client:KRO-NCRVTeam:CBREprogram:offices, studio`speriod:2014 - 2015 -
Watertower Dwelling
location:Soestcategory:Transformations, Private, Interiorm2:280client:ParticulierTeam:Plegt-Vos. Middelkoopprogram:residentialperiod:2002 - 2004 -
Vereniging Eigen Huis
location:Amersfoortcategory:Interiorm2:5.500client:Vereniging Eigen HuisTeam:Bouwbedrijf Heldoornprogram:officesperiod:2014 - 2016 -
Heldergroen
location:Haarlemcategory:Interiorm2:150program:officespaceperiod:2009
More Public buildings
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Temporary accommodation for the House of Representatives
location:Den Haagcategory:Transformations, Interior, Public buildingsm2:80.000client:RijksvastgoedbedrijfTeam:Strukton Worksphereprogram:offices, restaurants, meeting rooms, public entrance & cateringperiod:2017 - 2021 -
Parking building Utrecht
location:Leidsche Rijn Centrumcategory:Public buildingsm2:20.500client:Gemeente UtrechtTeam:BBN, IMd ingenieurs, Verhoef Installaties, HCPSprogram:parking garageperiod:2016 - 2020 -
Vasim
location:Nijmegencategory:Transformations, Public buildingsm2:12.000Team:Lingotto, KlokGroep, ZUS [Zones Urbaines Sensibles] -
Interior Library Neude
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Interior, Public buildingsm2:9.000client:De Bibliotheek UtrechtTeam:Rijnboutt, Jurriens B.V. maar! bouwmanagement, Coors, Keijsers, Gispenprogram:library, offices, hospitality, meeting rooms, auditoriumperiod:2015 - 2020 -
GAK middle part
location:Amsterdamcategory:Transformations, Interior, Public buildingsm2:10.000client:SteenvastgoedTeam:WDJArchitecten, ABT, DPA, Huygenprogram:120 hotel rooms, loungeperiod:2015 - 2019 -
City Hall Renswoude
location:Renswoudecategory:Interior, Public buildingsm2:1060client:Gemeente Renswoudeprogram:City hall, officesperiod:2020 - current -
Transformation CAB Cartesiusdriehoek
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Public buildingsclient:BPD / LingottoTeam:ZUS, CCO, Arupprogram:leisure, apartments, manufacturing industryperiod:2017 - 2018 -
Utrecht's Archive
location:Utrechtcategory:Interior, Public buildingsclient:Utrechts ArchiefTeam:Bouman Bouw Realisatie BVprogram:Public Archiveperiod:2012 - 2013 -
Drents Archive 3.0
location:Assencategory:Transformations, Interior, Public buildingsm2:3.300client:Rijksvastgoedbedrijf en Drents ArchiefTeam:Brands Bouwgroep B.V.program:Public Archiveperiod:2010 - 2012 -
Sidewall(k)
location:Utrechtcategory:Transformations, Public buildingsclient:Gemeente UtrechtTeam:Bouwbedrijf van den Engelprogram:attach old wallperiod:2012 - 2014 -
Food Hall MOUT with Beer Brewery
location:Hilversumcategory:Transformations, Public buildingsm2:1.000client:Teus Kroonprogram:Food Hall, Gooische Beer Breweryperiod:2016 - 2017 -
Polygonal Workshop
location:Tilburgcategory:Transformations, Public buildingsm2:1.500client:BOEiTeam:EVE, BAM, Hugo Interieurvormgevingprogram:restaurant, event spaceperiod:2015 - 2017 -
Water tower
location:Sint Janskloostercategory:Transformations, Public buildingsclient:BOEi / Vitens en Natuurmonumentenprogram:watchtowerperiod:2007 - 2014